Commercial Dehumidifiers

Commercial dehumidifiers come in a variety of models, each of them designed for a handful of applications and settings. Drying systems are ideal for dealing with water losses, such as flooded basements or burst pipes, and they make sense in areas where high humidity is a constant problem. A drier building is a healthier building, as excess moisture can attract pests and give rise to fungal contamination like mold. And both pests and mold can inflame allergies and produce chronic respiratory symptoms. These symptoms are most pronounced in children and the elderly, so it is up to families to protect the home against water infiltration. Dryer systems are the first line of defense in this regard.

What commercial dehumidifiers are available for water losses and moisture control?

There are several dryer system technologies to choose from, and they include the following:

Refrigeration dryers – refrigeration systems, also known as LGR (or large grain refrigeration) dryers, are the most common choice for standard water loss environments. They work by passing a current of air over cooled coils. This causes the vapor to condense on the coils, where it is collected for removal. Refrigeration systems are most efficient at temperatures ranging from 70 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and at this range, LGR systems are the best choice on the market. When the temperature drops below 70 degrees, though, there isn’t enough heat load to prevent the coils from icing, which will slow down the drying process. Air conditioning systems are similar to LGR systems in that they condense vapor onto cooled coils, but air conditioners do not reheat air by passing the current over a condenser, instead cooling the room as well as drying it.

Desiccation dryers – desiccation dryers are largely unaffected by temperature, as they use an absorbent material instead of refrigeration to remove vapor from the air. The most common material of choice is silica gel, and the gel is attached to a disc that rotates once or twice a minute to maximize the usable surface area of the gel. The vapor pressure inside the silica is much lower than the ambient pressure, so when it passes through the gel, it immediately condenses and is absorbed. A “recharging” air current is passed through the saturated portion of the disc to wick away the moisture, which is then vented outside of the building. Desiccation dryers can operate at nearly any temperature, though they aren’t quite as efficient as LGR systems at some temperatures. They are lighter, though, which makes them portable.

Heat dryers – Heat injection systems can be used individually or in conjunction with other commercial dehumidifiers. A heat injector is ideal for water losses that include difficult to reach areas of trapped water. Normally, restoration professionals would have to tear up a room to access this water or heat up the entire space, turning the room into an oven. A heat injector, instead, works like a stove burner, sending heat directly to the area where the water is trapped. This makes it an effective option for drying baseplates and areas behind drywall.

Modern drying technology is highly robust and can accelerate restoration efforts by several days. It’s a must-have for restoration professionals and building owners that want to keep their occupants safe and comfortable.

Drying a structure can be difficult if you donít know some of the basics. This is not meant to be a detailed in depth article on drying but just a guideline to give someone an idea of what will need to be done.